Tina Amanda, Lourine Emenike
Commercial vehicle drivers plying Rumuokoro – Choba axis have shut down operations over the alleged increase in ticket price and another levy by the management of Rumuokoro motor park.
Our reporter gathered that the taxi drivers stormed the Rumuokoro motor park this morning protesting against the four hundred naira increase in ticket from the usual three hundred naira.
The leader of drivers, Chigozie Nwuju who addressed the leadership of the park in presence of some security personnel said “they decided to protest because of the difficulties they are facing in the hands of the management of the park, especially the latest increment in tickets.
Continuing, Nwuju complained that they buy same ticket three times within the same route in Obio-Akpor which he said makes them to go home with nothing at the end of the day’s toiling, adding that the drivers of vehicles belonging to the leadership of the park do not buy ticket or even enter into the park to load passengers.
Some other taxi drivers who also spoke to journalists, explained how some of them were beaten up because they decided to agitate against what they call extortion and fraud in the system.
The drivers lamented that the ticket increment is outrageous, adding that the Rumuokoro park management sells fake tickets to drivers.
They further complained that they buy the same ticket thrice in different junctions daily and within the same route in Obio-Akpor, while lamenting that they go home with nothing to feed their families after paying unnecessary levies at the park and in the hands of the authority of Obio-Akpor local government council
They called for the intervention of Governor Nyesom Wike, to save them from the corrupt practices and excessive extortion by the authority of Obio-Akpor local government Council and the Rumuokoro motor park.
Chairman Rumuokoro Motor Park, identified as OMACHI, explained that the increment is not for him as it’s been used for the park maintenance, and urged drivers who are not pleased with the latest development to move out of the park and be ready to face the consequence.
